Lightweight Modular Play Structure

ABSTRACT

A stable, safe, lightweight modular play structure for encouraging and supporting ambulatory motion by one or more infants and which may be selectively assembled in a variety of configurations in an enclosed, modular unit

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of toys for infants in thedevelopmental stages of crawling and early walking.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of devices known in the prior art as walkers or babyseats, in which babies and toddlers are seated or positioned. Thesedevices are recreational toys, and are engaging to the baby or toddlerbecause they allow the infant to sit in an upright, seated or partiallyupright position. If wheels are attached to the device, the deviceallows the infant to be more mobile at an early age.

For example, the company Toys 'R Us advertises more than fifty walkers,baby seats and baby gyms (all of which are referred to herein,generically, as “walkers”). Many of these devices can be located on thecompany's website located at www.toysrus.com. Toys 'R Us carries a widerange of commercially available walkers by numerous manufacturerscompeting in the established and crowded market for walkers.

Walkers which are taught in issued patents generally fall into twocategories: wheeled devices or stationary (seat) devices. A typicalexample of a walker having wheels is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,072by Prasad (the '072 patent). Walkers with wheels, such as that disclosedin the '072 patent, increase the mobility of a child and thus are veryexciting and entertaining to the child. However, they are also verydangerous. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends thatwalkers be banned in the United States because mobile baby walkers putchildren at risk for injury and provide no clear benefits from using ababy walker, in part because the wheels diminish the need for the childto use their muscles.

According to the AAP, each year thousands of children are treated inhospital emergency rooms for walker-related injuries. Walker injuriescan be serious. Typical walker injuries include skull fractures,bleeding inside the head, or broken legs and arms from falls, especiallydown stairs. Also, walkers are responsible for significant pinching orcompression injuries to fingers and toes, or other-types of injuries dueto tipping of the device.

Often, walker injuries occur when a parent or care provider is at homewatching the child. A baby in a walker can move at a speed of three feetper second. Baby walkers put children at increased risk for burns,poisonings, and drowning because the devices do not encourage childrento stay within certain physical parameters and, in fact, cause them tolose control of their sense of space and location. This is because thechild can move around faster and reach or navigate to hazardous areas,fall down stairs or enter isolated areas.

In contrast, stationary infant seat devices such as those taught by U.S.Pat. No. 6,001,047 by Ferarara (the '047 patent) and Kurtin et al. U.S.Pat. No. 5,522,782 by Kurtin (the '782 patent), incorporate child seatsthat limit movement of the child. These devices are stationary orsemi-stationary child entertainment devices which allow an infant ortoddler to comfortably remain in an upright position.

These non-wheeled devices are less hazardous since they do not havewheels and thus limit the child's range of mobility. However, thesestationary infant seats are less enjoyable and stimulating to infantsand children since the child is confined to one area and does not havethe excitement of experimenting with their mobility.

Additionally, stationary devices pose hazards for active infants andtoddlers including tipping, pinching body parts and falls. Thestationary devices have seats in which to place a child, precisely toencourage the child to remain fairly immobile within the device.However, children often move, bounce, wriggle, thrust themselvesbackwards and forwards, and otherwise try to climb out of the devicecausing the device to tip or resulting in a fall or other injury.

Moreover, both walkers with wheels and stationary child seat devices areprimarily designed for a child to be placed in an upright or semi-seatedstationary position rather than to assist the child in pullingthemselves up, and using the child's upper and lower body muscle groupsfor self-positioning and ambulating.

Moreover, children learning to walk often enjoy pulling themselves upand learning to support their weight on both their upper and lower body.Neither walkers with wheels or upright infant seat structures facilitatethis. Infants and toddlers often pull themselves up using furniture withhard edges or which may tip, or which can be damaged and is otherwiseill-suited to be used as a support device to enhance the mobility of aninfant or toddler learning to walk.

Traditional walkers and infant seats are also structurally cumbersome,expensive to assemble, and are difficult to adapt to the living spaceand décor in most homes. They are difficult to store and often must beleft in conspicuous areas because of traditional closet space and otherspatial limitations in a consumer's home. Walkers, seats and otherequipment take up the space that might otherwise be used for furniture,and cannot be stored easily in areas that are not visible when thewalkers or seats are not in use.

Additionally, traditional walkers and infant seats are designed forsolitary infant play, rather than adapted so that more -than one childor toddler can play or socially interact

Other devices known in the art to assist walking are used in clinical(as opposed to home and daycare) settings and are manufactured to servethe function of medical equipment rather than as toys. Therapeuticdevices often consist of variations of support bars and are more stable,but generally are not designed to be used as toys, and are noteconomically purchased as toys. They are not anthropometricallyproportioned for toddlers. Moreover, these devices are not capable ofbeing aesthetically or structurally adapted for consumer tastes andresidential storage needs.

Moreover, therapeutic walking devices are not readily disassembled forshipping, storage, or transport.

It is desirable to introduce a toy device into consumer markets thatovercomes the disadvantages of traditional baby equipment such as“walkers,” seats and stationary devices for positioning children who areat a developmental stage of learning to walk to be able to pullthemselves up and become mobile and ambulatory.

It is further desirable to design devices which are safe, and which willnot tip over when the child uses the device for support, strains,bounces, pushes, or otherwise attempts to be more mobile within thedevice.

It is further desirable to design a device for assisting babies learningto walk that is light-weight, portable, and readily adjustable in size,and which can be adapted for varying sized living spaces, consumermarkets and to accommodate varying numbers of children at play.

It is further desirable to have a play device that increases themobility of infants and toddlers, but is safe for babies and thatrequires less supervision than traditional walkers and infant seats.

It is further desirable to have a play device that can be structured,configured and/or reassembled to accommodate as wide a range ofinfant/toddler/child activities and as broad a developmental age rangeof activities as possible, for example, allow children to createimaginary structures and boundary areas to facilitate creative play.

It is also desirable that a play device that can be offered as toyand/or in consumer markets that is cost-effective to manufacture,display, assemble and ship.

Glossary

As used herein, the term “ambulatory motion” means motion whereby aninfant attempts to change their position in space by walking, crawling,supporting themselves in an upward position or otherwise moving orpropelling themselves. Ambulatory motion may include the motion of aninfant pulling themselves up using furniture, a support structure orother object and attempting to emulate walking motion.

As used herein the term “base support bar” means structural component ofa device forming a support for a structure, a stand or a base, or whichis a structural component to make the device stand upright and/or bemore resistant to being overturned, toppled, or knocked over (includingbut not limited to additional vertical or horizontal structural supportmembers added to increase stability and resistance to angular pressureand forces). A base support bar includes but is not limited to any bar,rod, rail, tube, tubular structure, panel, block, pedestal, figurine orstructural segment adapted to provide support or form a base for astructure. A base support bar may be substantially horizontal,substantially vertical or positioned at any angle which provides orenhances structural support.

As used herein the term “connector” means a component into which infantgrasping bars, support bars and legs can be selectively attached,lengthened, screwed, fastened, hinged, bolted, connected with lynchpins, threaded members, or parts which are structurally fitted orotherwise adapted to connect and/or receive infant grasping bars,support bars and legs and other tubular and non-tubular structures toform a modular play structure. Connectors may be a single tubularchannel, T-shaped, L-shaped, S-shaped or irregularly shaped, and haveany number of apertures and/or connection points.

As used herein, the term “enclosed area” is a designated space for aninfant or toddler to utilize to engage in ambulatory motion.

As used herein, the term “enclosed structure” means a device in whichthe user is shut in two or more sides.

As used herein, the term “gripping surface” refers to a surface that iscovered or textured in a manner to make the surface less slippery andeasier to grip. A gripping surface may be textured, irregular,contoured, contain grooves and apertures, padded, covered or coated witha foam, fabric, adhesive or secondary material. A gripping surface mayinclude a surface that is treated with appliques or stickers. A grippingsurface may be on a base structure, leg or infant grasping bar or anyother tubular or non-tubular structural component of a lightweightmodular play structure.

As used herein, the term “infant grasping bar” means a structuralcomponent including, but not limited to, any bar, rod, rail, tube,tubular member, panel, block, pedestal, figurine, specially contoured ormolded segment or structural segment adapted to be grasped or held by aninfant or toddler for support. An infant grasping bar may be hollow orsolid, or may be made of any plastic, polyvinyl chloride or vinylplastic, aluminum, wood, bamboo or any other material that can bemachined or molded to form an infant grasping bar. An infant graspingbar may be of any height, weight, width, length or anthropometricproportion adapted to be grasped, gripped, leaned upon or held by aninfant. A base support bar may be substantially horizontal,substantially vertical or positioned at any angle which provides orenhances structural support.

As used herein, the term “infant stimulation features” means audio,visual or tactile devices or features that entertain or engage an infantor child. For example, an infant stimulation feature may include but isnot limited to a toy, a visual enhancement feature, teething ring,pacifier, motion, audio devices, lights, textured components, bells,springs, clickers, percussion devices and/or or sound activated deviceor battery operated device.

As used herein the term “leg” means support structure of a deviceforming a vertical or angular member of a structure which providessupport or connects base support bars and infant grasping bars.

As used herein, the term “light weight” means of a weight which iseconomically shipped and transported such that individual orders can beindividually processed and shipped to a customer using commercialcarrier, courier and postal services. As used herein, a lightweight itemis an item which weighs less than twenty pounds.

As used herein, the term “low storage volume” means of dimensions whichare easily packed, shipped or stored, for example in an area (such as acloset or box) that is no larger than 6 long by two feet.

As used herein, the term “modular play structure” means a configurationof infant grasping bars, support bars, legs and/or anti-tip componentswhich can be varied in shape and dimensions to fit varying enclosedareas or space. Legs and connectors which may be selectively assembledand disassembled to form a lightweight, recreational modular playstructure which is an alternative to traditional walkers and infant playseats. A modular play structure may include any combination ofselectively attached infant grasping bars, support bars, legs and/oranti-tip components which may be hinged, threaded, structurally fittedor otherwise adapted to form a modular play structure.

As used herein, the term “non-tip structure” means a protuberance,contour, projection, or other structure which serves the sole orancillary function of increasing stability and/or decreasing thepropensity of a device to move or tip when force or pressure is appliedin any manner by an infant.

As used herein the term, “stabilizing structure” means a structuraladaptation to a device to make the device more resistant to beingoverturned, tipped, toppled, or knocked over (including but not limitedto additional vertical or horizontal structural support members added toincrease stability and resistance to angular pressure and forces).

As used herein the term, “selectively assembled” means can be takenapart and/or assembled in various shapes and configurations.

As used herein the term, “support structure” means a structuraladaptation to a device to connect various components of a modular playstructure, to modify its structural configuration or to add stability. Asupport structure may include legs, panels, blocks or any othercomponent which may be used to provide connectivity, stability, supportor to alter the structural configuration of the device.

As used herein, the term “textured gripping surface” means padding,textured material, a textured surface or other geometric or frictionalmaterial to facilitate gripping of infant grasping bars,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device disclosed herein is a light-weight, portable and easilyassembled recreational device which is selectively configured to providesupport to infants and toddlers during developmental stages when theyare learning to walk and pull themselves upright using supportstructures. The device is safely constructed and may include grippingsurfaces, anti-tip features and other components that allow it to beeasily assembled and configured for various special limitations, socialsettings and which may be re-configured to accommodate children andvarious developmental stages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of a lightweight modular playstructure.

FIG. 2 a shows a side view of one embodiment of a connector, which iscurved.

FIG. 2 b shows a side view of a T-shaped embodiment of a connector.

FIG. 2 b shows a side view of a straight connector.

FIG. 3 a shows a side view of one embodiment of a lightweight playmodular structure having optional angled support structures, and fourinfant grasping bars.

FIG. 3 b shows a side view of one embodiment of a lightweight playmodular structure having optional angled support structures, and twoinfant grasping bars.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of a lightweight play modularstructure having one or more optional textured gripping surfaces.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a lightweight modular playstructure in which infant grasping bars are curved.

FIG. 6 shows a modular play structure with stabilizing structures addedto provide stability.

FIG. 7 shows a lightweight modular play structure to which one or moreinfant stimulation devices may be selectively attached.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of lightweight modular play structurewhich further includes a removable mat which may be used as floorcovering or cushion.

FIG. 9 shows a lightweight infant support structure dis-assembled intoits component parts for easy, light-weight, low storage volume storageand shipping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention,references are made in the text hereof to embodiments of a structure forinfants learning to walk, only some of which are described herein. Itshould nevertheless be understood that no limitations on the scope ofthe invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary skill in the artwill readily appreciate that modifications such as size, shape, andmaterial may be varied to accommodate a variety of needs. Some of thesepossible modifications are mentioned in the following description.Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpretedas limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art toemploy the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedstructure or manner.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theinvention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, likereference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or nearidentical structural elements.

Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” or “generally” asused herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representationthat could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basicfunction to which it is related.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment oflightweight modular play structure 100 for infants learning to walkhaving a rectangular shape. In the embodiment shown, the structurecomprises a pair of generally parallel top infant grasping bars (1 a, 1b, 1 c and 1 d) and a pair of generally parallel base (or bottom) basebars (2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d) generally parallel to infant grasping bars(1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d). In the embodiment shown, infant grasping bars(1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d) and base bars (2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d) aresubstantially parallel, but may be at alternate angles andconfigurations in other embodiments. Additionally, other embodiments oflightweight modular play structure 100 may have fewer or more infantgrasping and base bars, and may include infant grasping bars and basebars that are hollow, solid, curved or telescoping, constructed inmultiple interlocking segments, irregular shaped or of varying lengths,curved, irregular shaped or varying lengths, circumferences anddimensions of horizontal infant grasping bars.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, top and bottom horizontal infantgrasping bars are connected and/or together by legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3d) that are generally perpendicular to top and bottom horizontal infantgrasping bars. In other embodiments, legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d) may besubstantially vertical, curved or angular. In still other embodiments,lightweight play structure 100 may have fewer or more legs or may employalternative support structures such as blocks or panels. Vertical legsare joined by top crossbars to join top parallel bars and base (orbottom) crossbars to join base horizontal bars so as to enclose thestructure. Other embodiments of lightweight play modular structure 100may include vertical legs that are hollow, solid, curved or telescoping,constructed in multiple interlocking segments, irregular shaped or ofvarying lengths, circumferences and dimensions of horizontal infantgrasping bars and base bars.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d) areconstructed of lightweight hollow plastic pipes securely inserted intoconnectors having a plurality of apertures connecting infant graspingbars (1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d) and a pair of parallel base (or bottom)horizontal base bars (2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d) and vertical legs (3 a, 3b, 3 c and 3 d).

FIG. 1 also illustrates stabilizing structures (4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d)which are added to provide stability to lightweight modular playstructure 100 so that it does not tip when angular or downward pressureis applied by an infant or toddler trying to pull themselves up usingthe structure. In the embodiment shown, stabilizing structures are addedas an anti-tip feature, but may also provide stability on unevensurfaces, carpeting or indoor/outdoor surfaces. Stabilizing structures(4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d) may be attached at one or more points tolightweight modular play structure 100, but may also be attached orbolted to the ground or an external surface by nails, bolts, spikes orany other means known in the art for stabilizing a structure. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, stabilizing structures (4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4d) are substantially horizontal,

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1, infant grasping bars (1 a, 1 b, 1 cand 1 d) are rounded or tubular in shape, and are hollow in made of anyplastic know in the art (including but not limited to polyvinyl chlorideor polystyrene) plastic. In other embodiments, infant grasping bars maybe solid, squared, have rounded edges, consist of segmented panels orblocks or be of any other structure to facilitate gripping by an infantor toddler learning to walk. In the embodiment shown, the tubularconfiguration of infant grasping bars (1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d), therounded configuration eliminates sharp edges that may present a safetyhazard to an infant or toddler, and the hollow plastic constructionmakes the structure light-weight, inexpensively manufactured and easilyassembled and disassembled.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, infant grasping bars (1 a, 1 b, 1 cand 1 d), base bars (2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d), legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3d) and stabilizing structures (4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d) may vary in sizeso as to accommodate virtually any size infant or toddler or to be usedby older children as structured play devices. In still otherembodiments, horizontal infant grasping bars (1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d),horizontal base bars (2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d), vertical legs (3 a, 3 b, 3c and 3 d) and stabilizing structures (4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d) may beuniform in size, height, width, length, and weight, or may be ofvarying, non-uniform proportions and materials.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, lightweight modular play structure isconstructed of a plurality of lightweight hollow plastic pipes securelyinserted into connector components having a plurality of aperturesconnecting infant grasping bars (1 a, 1 b 1 c and 1 d), base bars (2 a,2 b, 2 c and 2 d) and legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d) are connected in amanner which allows grasping bars (1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d), base bars (2a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d) and legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d) and other supportcomponents and structures to be easily assembled, selectively attachedand detached, stored and shipped and assembled and re-assembled invarious shapes, configurations and sizes.

In the embodiment shown infant grasping bars 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d, basebars 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d and legs 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d areapproximately 1.5″ in circumference and between 1 and 6 feet in length.In the embodiment shown grasping bars 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d, base bars 2a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d and legs 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d, are tubular and ofuniform size and dimension. However, in other embodiments 1 a, 1 b, 1 cand 1 d, base bars 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d and legs 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 dmay be non-tubular and of varying sizes, circumferences, lengths shapesand dimensions.

In the embodiment shown, lightweight modular play structure occupies anarea of 2 feet by eight and is approximately 8 to 14 inches tall, but mebe assemble in various shapes and configurations with any number ofgrasping bars 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d, base bars 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d andlegs 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d may be used in such configurations, and suchcomponents may be sold as kits or sets to vary such assembled dimensionsand to facilitate use by individual and multiple children.

FIG. 2 illustrates various embodiments of a connector 200 havingapertures (200 a, 200 b, 200 c and 200 d) to receiver attach and/orconnect any combination or configuration of infant grasping bars (1 a, 1b, 1 c and 1 d), base bars (2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d)₁ legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 cand 3 d) and stabilizing structures (4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d). In theembodiment shown, connector 200 may include one or more apertures whichmay be connected by a single hollow or tubular channel. In otherembodiments, connector 200 may be tooled, stamped, molded or machinedfrom a solid structure having apertures, grooves, threaded members,adhesives, bolts, tightening members or other means to receive, attachand/or connect any combination or configuration of infant grasping bars(1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d), horizontal base bars (2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d),vertical legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d) and stabilizing structures (4 a, 4b, 4 c and 4 d).

In various embodiments, connector 200 may have threaded apertures, lynchpins, hinges, telescoping components, bolts, or may be welded or fixablyattached by molding or adhesive to connect infant grasping bars (1 a, 1b, 1 c and Ad) and a pair of parallel base (or bottom) horizontal basebars (2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d) and vertical legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d).Connectors may be a single tubular channel, t-shaped, I-shaped, s-shapedor irregularly shaped.

FIG. 3 a illustrates an embodiment of lightweight play modular structure100 having infant grasping bars 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d optional angledsupport structures (5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d) to provide further supportand stability to minimize tipping of the structure when angular ordownward force is applied by an infant, or when the structure is pushedor pulled.

FIG. 3 b illustrates an embodiment of lightweight play modular structure100 having infant grasping bars 1 a and 1 b optional angled supportstructures (5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d) to provide further support andstability to minimize tipping of the structure when angular or downwardforce is applied by an infant, or when the structure is pushed orpulled.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of lightweight play modular structure100 having one or more optional textured gripping surfaces (6 a and 6 b)which may consist of padding, textured material, a textured surface orother geometric or frictional material to facilitate gripping of infantgrasping bars (1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d) by an infant or toddler. FIG. 4further includes optional horizontal base support structures (7 a, 7 b,7 c and 7 d) for added stability.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of lightweight modular play structure100 in which infant grasping bars (1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d) are curved. Inthe embodiment shown, infant grasping bars (1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d) aresupported together by vertical legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d) that aregenerally perpendicular to top and bottom horizontal infant graspingbars (1 a, 1 b, 1 c and 1 d) which are curved in the embodiment shown tocreate a spherical structure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of lightweight modular play structure100 which is spherical and further includes anti-tip stabilizingstructures (5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d). Other embodiments of lightweightmodular play structure 100 may have fewer or more infant grasping barsand horizontal base bars, and may include horizontal base bars which arehollow, solid, curved or telescoping, constructed in multipleinterlocking segments, irregular shaped or of varying lengths, curved,irregular shaped or varying lengths, circumferences and dimensions. Inother embodiments, curved infant grasping bars, base bars, legs andsupport structures may be combined with straight and angled graspingbars, base bars, legs and support structures to form variable anduniquely shaped modular configurations.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, top and bottom horizontal curvedinfant grasping bars are supported together by legs (3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3d) that are generally perpendicular to top and bottom horizontal infantgrasping bars and are substantially vertical in the embodiment shown.Other embodiments of lightweight modular play structure 100 may havefewer or more legs which may be curved, angled or consist of panels,blocks or other structures. In the embodiment shown, vertical legs arejoined by top crossbars to join top parallel bars and base (or bottom)crossbars to join base horizontal bars so as to enclose the structure.Other embodiments of lightweight modular play structure 100 may includevertical legs that are hollow, solid, curved or telescoping, constructedin multiple interlocking segments, irregular shaped or of varyinglengths, circumferences and dimensions of horizontal infant graspingbars and base bars.

FIG. 6 also illustrates stabilizing structures (5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d)which are added to provide stability to lightweight modular playstructure 100 so that it does not tip when angular or downward pressureis applied by an infant or toddler trying to pull themselves up usingthe structure.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, infant grasping bars (1 a and 1 b)crossbars are curved and constructed from only two molded or machinedpieces to simplify assembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of lightweight modular playstructure 100 to which one or more infant stimulation devices may beselectively attached. An Infant stimulation device 9 may includemobiles, toys attached by suction cups, bolts, clamps, string, cord,links, adhesives or vises, textured toys, pacifiers, teething rings, orsurfaces (i.e. stuffed animals), snack receptacles, audio devices andrepresentational elements such as numbers, letters, words or charactersrepresented in cartoons in literature.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of lightweight modular playstructure 100 which further includes a removable mat 85 which may beused as floor covering or cushion. In the embodiment shown, removablemat 85 is attached at mat connection points (88 a, 88 b, 88 c and 88 d)to hold the mat stationary and prevent an infant or toddler fromdetaching the mat and possibly suffocating or otherwise becominginjured. Other embodiments of removable mat 85 may not includecushioning or may include more or fewer connection points. In variousembodiments, mat connection points may be weights, nails, screws, bolts,pegs or structures inserted through mat apertures, adhesives, magneticor weights.

FIG. 9 shows a lightweight infant support structure dis-assembled intoits component parts for easy, light-weight, low volume storage andshipping. This ability to dissemble lightweight modular play structure100 contemplates that the device can be sold as a toy, and stored andshipped accordingly, thus overcoming the disadvantages of traditionalequipment and furniture used for infants for ambulatory movement.

1. A lightweight, low-storage volume modular play structure comprising:at least one infant grasping bar adapted to be safely grasped by aninfant and used by the infant to pull themselves to a standing position;at least one base bar; and at least one support structure connectingsaid at least one infant grasping bar to said at least one base barwhich can be sold as a toy and selectively assembled in multipleconfigurations and to be utilized as a stable support structure for aninfant in pulling themselves up and supporting ambulatory motion.
 2. Thelightweight modular play structure of claim 1 which further includes atleast one anti-tip structure which prevents said lightweight modularplay structure from tipping when grasped by an infant and force isapplied by the infant to attempt to pull themselves to an uprightstanding position.
 3. The lightweight modular play structure of claim 1which further includes at least one anti-tip structure which furtherincludes at least one connector which allows said at least one infantgrasping bar, said at least one base bar and said at least one base barto be selectively assembled and disassembled to form multipleconfigurations.
 4. The lightweight modular play structure of claim 1wherein said infant grasping bar, said base bar and said supportstructure are each tubular and light weight, having a weight of lessthan 32 ounces.
 5. The lightweight modular play structure of claim 1wherein the structure comprises modular components for selectiveassembly for use and disassembly for transport or storage.
 6. Thelightweight modular play structure of claim 1 wherein said at least oneconnector and a component selected from a group consisting of said atleast one infant grasping bar, support bar and leg are attached byscrewing together threaded components.
 7. The lightweight modular playstructure of claim 1 wherein said at least one connector and a componentselected from a group consisting of said at least one infant graspingbar, support bar and leg are attached by snapping together structurallyconfigured attachable components which are created by a processconsisting of molding or machining.
 8. The lightweight modular playstructure of claim 1 wherein the modular components are adapted to bestored in a small space having dimensions of less than 5 feet by twofeet when disassembled.
 9. The lightweight modular play structure ofclaim 2 wherein the modular components are adapted to be joined by atleast one connector which is selected from a group of shapes consistingof elbow-shaped, curved, T-shaped, L-shaped, S-shaped and straightfittings.
 10. The lightweight modular play structure of claim 1 whereinthe structure is constructed of a group consisting of plastic andaluminum.
 11. The lightweight modular play structure of claim 1 whichfurther includes a mat.
 12. The lightweight modular play structure ofclaim 1 wherein said infant grasping bar further includes at least onetextured grasping surface.
 13. A lightweight modular play structurecomprising: at least one infant grasping bar adapted to be safelygrasped by an infant and used by the infant to pull themselves to astanding position resisting downward and angular forces imposed by theinfant; at least one base bar; at least one connector connecting said atleast one infant grasping bar to said at least one base bar which can beselectively assembled in multiple configurations and to be used as astable support structure for an infant in pulling themselves up andsupporting ambulatory motion; said at least one infant grasping bar,said at least one base bar and said at least one support structureselectively attached to form an enclosed special structure to safelysupport ambulatory motion by the infant within said enclosed area. 14.The lightweight modular play structure of claim 13 wherein said infantgrasping bar, said base bar and said support structure are each tubularand lightweight, having a weight of less than 32 ounces.
 15. Thelightweight modular play structure of claim 13 wherein the structurecomprises modular components for selective assembly for use anddisassembly for transport or storage and which has dimensions of no morethan 5 feet by 2 feet when disassembled.
 16. The lightweight modularplay structure of claim 13 which further includes a component selectedfrom the group consisting of a mat, an infant stimulation device, atextured grasping surface.
 17. A lightweight modular play structurewhich may be used by one or more infants in ambulatory motioncomprising: at least one infant grasping bar adapted to be safelygrasped by an infant and used by the infant to pull themselves to astanding position resisting downward and angular forces imposed by theinfant; at least one base bar which stabilizes the device; at least onesupport structure connecting said at least one infant grasping bar tosaid at least one base bar which can be selectively assembled inmultiple configurations and to be used as a stable support structure foran infant in pulling themselves up and supporting ambulatory motion; andsaid at least one infant grasping bar, said at least one base bar andsaid at least one support structure are selectively attached to form anenclosed special structure to safely support ambulatory motion by theinfant within said enclosed area.
 18. The lightweight modular playstructure of claim 17 which further includes optional support structuresto accommodate contemporaneous use of said lightweight modular playstructure by more than one infant.